Alternatives
Best Qualys alternatives in 2026
Data compiled by Toolradar Updated How we rate
Cite this list: Toolradar, best Qualys alternatives 2026, toolradar.com/alternatives/qualys
3 direct alternatives to Qualys and 5 more tools in the same category, compared on pricing, features, and best-for use cases. Pick the right replacement without the marketing fluff.
Quick answer
- Wiz is the top alternative to Qualys on our list, followed by Orca Security and Nessus.
- 2 of the 8 alternatives have a free plan, starting with Malwarebytes.
- Highest rated: Intruder, 4.8 out of 5 from 219 ratings, Sep 2026.
- 8 alternatives
- 3 direct
- 2 with a free plan
Top 3 alternatives to Qualys
Wiz
#1 Top pick#1 Cloud Security Software for Modern Cloud Protection
Pricing
Not published
4.7 /5 on G2 · 845 ratings, Sep 2026
Our take
Best overall
Industry-leading cloud security solution for multi-cloud environments.
Pricing
Usage-based
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 373 ratings, Sep 2026
Nessus
#3Vulnerability assessment scanner
Starting price
From $249.17 /mo
Cheapest paid plan, monthly, as of October 2026
4.6 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 402 ratings, Sep 2026
Qualys vs 8 alternatives
| Tool | Starting price (Oct 2026) | Free plan | Rating | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Price: $16.58/mo | Free plan: No | 4.2 out of 5, from 202 ratings across G2, Capterra and Trustpilot (202) | |
| Price: Not published | Free plan: No | 4.7 out of 5, from 845 ratings on G2 (845) | Direct alternative |
| Price: Usage-based | Free plan: No | 4.7 out of 5, from 373 ratings across G2 and Capterra (373) | Direct alternative |
| Price: $249.17/mo | Free plan: No | 4.6 out of 5, from 402 ratings across G2 and Capterra (402) | Direct alternative |
 | Price: $3.33/mo | Free plan: No | 4.7 out of 5, from 2,173 ratings across G2 and Capterra (2,173) | Same category as Qualys |
 | Price: $3.75/mo | Free plan: No | 4.6 out of 5, from 2,668 ratings across G2 and Capterra (2,668) | Same category as Qualys |
 | Price: $3.75/mo | Free plan: Yes | 4.6 out of 5, from 1,089 ratings on G2 (1,089) | Same category as Qualys |
 | Price: Free | Free plan: Yes | 4.8 out of 5, from 219 ratings on G2 (219) | Same category as Qualys |
 | Price: $277.08/mo | Free plan: No | 4.5 out of 5, from 110 ratings on G2 (110) | Same category as Qualys |
Why people consider alternatives to Qualys
Qualys provides vulnerability management and compliance. Cloud-based security scanning-enterprise vulnerability assessment and compliance. The coverage is comprehensive. The enterprise features are complete.
Teams most often switch away when one of these starts to bite:
- Pricing at scale as usage or premium tiers add up.
- Missing integrations with the rest of your stack.
- Performance or scale limits as your needs grow.
- A specific feature gap you have hit in vulnerability scanning.
The 3 direct alternatives below cover the same core job (vulnerability scanning) with different trade-offs. The 5 tools marked "Same category as Qualys" fit the category but replace Qualys less directly.
Qualys by the numbers
Toolradar data: Qualys's entry paid plan ($16.58/mo, billed yearly) ranks #5 of 10 for price among the Vulnerability Scanning tools with a verified entry price and no stated unit, where the median is $17.79/mo. As of Oct 2026.
| Metric | Qualys | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry paid plan | $16.58/mo, billed yearly | $17.79/mo | #5 of 10 tools with no stated price unit, verified price |
| Free plan | No | 9 of 19 have one | n/a |
| Listed as an alternative to | 10 tools | 2 | #5 of 19 (joint) |
| User rating | 4.2/5 (across the web, 202 ratings) | 4.6/5 | #10 of 10 tools with 20+ reviews |
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. A lower entry price ranks higher; prices are read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis. All Vulnerability Scanning data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position.
Cite this: Toolradar, “Qualys by the numbers”, Oct 2026.
Vulnerability Scanning leaderboards from Toolradar data
Toolradar ranks Vulnerability Scanning tools on one measure at a time, only where at least 8 tools have data. As of Oct 2026.
Lowest entry price, plans with no stated unit
Cheapest standard paid plan per month (annual prices divided by 12), read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis.
Counted among 10 tools with no stated price unit, verified price.
| # | Tool | Entry plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESET | $3.33/mo, billed yearly |
| 2 | Malwarebytes | $3.75/mo, billed yearly |
| 2 | Sophos | $3.75/mo, billed yearly |
| 4 | qsa.sh | $5/mo, billed monthly |
| 5 | Qualys | $16.58/mo, billed yearly |
A position exists only when at least 8 tools have data for that metric. 10 of 19 Vulnerability Scanning tools have a verified price; the others publish none we could read (often "contact sales"). Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. How we compute this. Cite this: Toolradar, “Vulnerability Scanning leaderboards”, Oct 2026. Data licensed CC BY 4.0. All Vulnerability Scanning statistics.
8 alternatives to Qualys
Direct alternatives come first, ranked by G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editor review. Tools marked "Same category as Qualys" follow, ranked the same way.
- 1
Wiz
Paid Higher rated by users#1 Cloud Security Software for Modern Cloud Protection
4.7 /5 on G2 · 845 ratings, Sep 2026
Price not published
- 2
Orca Security
Paid Higher rated by usersIndustry-leading cloud security solution for multi-cloud environments.
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 373 ratings, Sep 2026
Price not published
- 3
Nessus
Paid Higher rated by usersVulnerability assessment scanner
4.6 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 402 ratings, Sep 2026
From $249.17/mo, billed yearly
- 4
ESET
Paid Higher rated by usersCybersecurity solutions for businesses and consumers
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 2,173 ratings, Sep 2026
From $3.33/mo, billed yearly
Same category as Qualys
- 5
Sophos
Paid Higher rated by usersUnified enterprise security for midsize businesses
4.6 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 2,668 ratings, Sep 2026
From $3.75/mo, billed yearly
Same category as Qualys
- 6
Malwarebytes
Free plan Cheaper than QualysCybersecurity and malware protection
4.6 /5 on G2 · 1,089 ratings, Sep 2026
From $3.75/mo, billed yearly; free plan available
Same category as Qualys
- 7
Intruder
100% free Cheaper than QualysContinuous vulnerability management to stop breaches before they start
4.8 /5 on G2 · 219 ratings, Sep 2026
Free
Same category as Qualys
- 8
Tenable
Paid Higher rated by usersUnify security visibility, insight, and action across your entire attack surface with AI-powered exposure management.
4.5 /5 on G2 · 110 ratings, Mar 2026
From $277.08/mo, billed yearly
Same category as Qualys
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Qualys?
Based on real-signal scoring (G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editorial review), the top alternatives to Qualys are Wiz, Orca Security, Nessus. Each solves the same core job with different trade-offs on pricing, features, and integrations.
Is there a free alternative to Qualys?
Yes. Intruder is 100% free (no paid upgrade path) (Continuous vulnerability management to stop breaches before they start). Freemium tools on this list offer a free tier with paid upgrades; they are not the same as fully free.
Why do people look for Qualys alternatives?
Common reasons teams switch away from Qualys: pricing that scales aggressively, missing integrations with the rest of their stack, performance or scale limits, or a specific feature gap in vulnerability scanning. The alternatives on this page solve the same core problem with different trade-offs.
Side-by-side comparisons
In-depth comparison pages for Qualys versus each alternative.
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